Need help setting up your fantasy football lineup? Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the final look at the best and worst matchups of the week in fantasy football leagues. I won’t cover elite players like Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts because you already know to start them! Instead, I’ll explore other quarterbacks who may over- or underperform based on their weekly opponent…like Baker Mayfield in Week 1!
For your final lineup decisions, be sure to also check out the fantasy player rankings, which are updated daily! Also subscribe to Fantasy Dirt with Lindsay Rhodes and I as we break down all things fantasy football 5 days a week!
And when you’re done with the quarterbacks, be sure to check out my start ’em, sit ’em picks at each other’s positions as well: RBs | WRs | TEs | K & D/STs
1. Josh Allen at Dolphins (Thurs.)
2. Jalen Hurts vs. Falcons (Mon)
3. Lamar Jackson vs. Raiders
4. Anthony Richardson, Packers
5. Patrick Mahomes vs. Bengals
6. Dak Prescott vs. Saints
7. Jayden Daniels vs. Giants
8. CJ Stroud vs. Bears
9. Kyler Murray vs. Rams
10. Jared Goff vs. Buccaneers
Complete Week 2 quarterback rankings can be found here.
The beginning of the week
Dak Prescott vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Dak Prescott got his bag last week (boy, didn’t he), but his 11.5 points against the Cleveland Browns left fantasy managers wanting more. I expect to see more from him in the Dallas Cowboys home game against the New Orleans Saints. Last season, Prescott averaged nearly 25 fantasy points per game in Jerry World. Vegas has 45 total, so I expect a lot of scoring in this NFC battle in Dallas.
Start them
CJ Stroud vs. Bears (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): CJ Stroud is having a good game against the Indianapolis Colts, putting up 18.7 fantasy points with a +6.8 extra point rating (EPA). This week, he faces the Chicago Bears, who last year allowed home players more than 20 points per game. Stroud was also a star at NRG Stadium, averaging 21.8 points per game as a rookie. Vegas has a total of 45.5 and I expect the Houston Texans to produce many of those points.
Kyler Murray vs. Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Kyler Murray’s 14.2 fantasy points in the opener was not what the Managers were hoping to see, but I think he will win at home against the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023, their defense allowed homers an average of over 19 fantasy points per game. Murray has had success against this NFC West opponent as well, outscoring the Rams by at least 17 points in two of the last three meetings.
Jayden Daniels vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Jayden Daniels was fantastic in fantasy in his NFL debut, rushing for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28.2 carries. He’s a sure option this week as well, as the rookie faces a New York Giants defense that averaged over 20 fantasy points per game last season. For now (or unless you have depth), Daniels has to be in the starting lineups.
Matthew Stafford at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards in last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions, but finished with just 14.7 fantasy points. I expected him to be better in Week 2 when the veteran faces a road game against the Arizona Cardinals. In its last eight home games, Arizona’s defense has allowed an average of 21.1 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. In a game that averages 49.5 points, I like Stafford’s production.
QBs with good matchups
• Brock Purdy at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Justin Herbert at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Kirk Cousins ​​at Eagles (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Session of the week
Joe Burrow at Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): I’m not calling Burrow a “must sit” this week, but I think there’s cause for concern. He’s averaged a mediocre 14.6 fantasy points in his last six games, including an 8.1 stinker in a shocking Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots. The Kansas City Chiefs have also allowed an average of just 181.4 passing yards in their last 10 home games, making Burrow’s matchup unattractive. Watch out for Joe Cool this week.
Sit ‘Em
Aaron Rodgers at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Aaron Rodgers returned to action on Monday night and it wasn’t great at all. In fact, he had 1 touchdown and only 8.6 fantasy points. He is now averaging 13 points in his last 19 regular season games. It’s not good. Next up is a road game against the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed an average of less than 15 fantasy points per game to visiting quarterbacks since 2023.
Deshaun Watson at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Deshaun Watson looked awful against Dallas, throwing for 169 yards, scoring just 10.7 points and was fourth-last in EPA among all quarterbacks. Unless you’re in a super flex league, I’ll keep Watson on the sidelines when the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars. In their last nine home games, their defense has allowed an average of less than 16 fantasy points to opponents. Watch out Watson.
Derek Carr at Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Derek Carr was one of the best fantasy players in Week 1. He threw three touchdown passes and scored 21.3 points. I’m not chasing this show though, as Carr has a much tougher matchup in Dallas. In their last eight home games, the Cowboys defense has given up just eight touchdown passes and an average of 13.2 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Geno Smith at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Geno Smith ranked among the top 12 quarterbacks in Week 1, scoring 17.8 fantasy points. Still, I’ll keep him on the sidelines this week as he heads to New England. The Patriots defense, which held Burrow to No. 1 last week, has held opposing quarterbacks to an average of just 13 points in its last nine games at Gillette Stadium. The total is also only 38, so don’t expect a lot of points.
QBs with bad matchups
• Caleb Williams at Texans (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Sam Darnold vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Gardner Minshew at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Now that you’re ready for this position, make sure you know the best start ’ems, seats in other positions as well:
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